The association of the spread of community infections with poverty and overcrowding is well known. In our hospital, located in José C. Paz, we assist sporadic cases of post-cesarean infections caused by community acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CaMRSA). In a prospective study of families treated at our hospital, we investigated the relationship between a history of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) and extreme overcrowding defined as households with unsatisfied basic needs type 3 (NBI 3)...

Numerous studies have reported sex bias in infectious diseases, with bias direction dependent on pathogen and site of infection. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), yet sex bias in susceptibility to S. aureus SSTI has not been described. A search of electronic health records revealed an odds ratio of 2.4 for S. aureus SSTI in males versus females. To investigate the physiological basis of this bias, we compared outcomes between male and female mice in a model of S...

Primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDs) are a group of disorders affecting the capability to fight against infection. These include defects in T cells and B cells affecting cell-mediated and humoral immunity, respectively, combined humoral and cell-mediated immunodeficiency, defects in phagocytosis, complement defects, and defects in cytokine or cytokine signalling pathways which are detrimental for immune function. Depending upon the type and severity, age at onset of symptoms can vary from neonatal period to late childhood...

Background: Drug-resistance genes found in human bacterial pathogens are increasingly recognized in saprophytic Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) from environmental sources. The clinical implication of such environmental GNBs is unknown. Objectives: We conducted a systematic review to determine how often such saprophytic GNBs cause human infections. Methods: We queried PubMed for articles published in English, Spanish, and French between January 2006 and July 2014 for 20 common environmental saprophytic GNB species, using search terms "infections," "human infections," "hospital infection...

BACKGROUND: The SstI polymorphism in the apolipoprotein 3 gene (apoC3) has been identified in many ethnic groups. In addition, the S2 allele of the SstI polymorphism is shown to be associated with increased plasma triglyceride (TG) levels. Plasma apoCIII is an important atherogenic factor, which interrupts lipid metabolism and is positively associated with plasma TG levels. However, the existence of the SstI polymorphism in the Li ethnic group in China remains to be confirmed. The relationship between the S2 allele of the SstI polymorphism and plasma apoCIII or TG and their roles in atherosclerosis are also unknown...

OBJECTIVES: To define the role of Staphylococcus aureus in community settings among patients with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) in Indonesia. METHODS: S. aureus were cultured from anterior nares, throat, and wounds of 567 ambulatory patients presenting with SSTI. The mecA gene and genes encoding Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL; lukF-PV and lukS-PV) and exfoliative toxin (ET; eta and etb) were determined by PCR. Clonal relatedness among methicillin-resistant S...

A bacterial insertion sequence (IS) is a mobile DNA sequence carrying only the transposase gene (tnp) that acts as a mutator to disrupt genes, alter gene expressions, and cause genomic rearrangements. "Canonical" ISs have historically been characterized by their terminal inverted repeats (IRs), which may form a stem-loop structure, and duplications of a short (non-IR) target sequence at both ends, called target site duplications (TSDs). The IS distributions and virulence potentials of Staphylococcus aureus genomes in familial infection cases are unclear...

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli have become a major public health concern to both humans and animal health. While the frequency of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in clinical E. coli is monitored regularly in human medicine, current frequency of AMR in companion animals remains unknown in Australia. In this study we conducted antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) and where possible, determined potential risk factors for MDR infection among 883 clinical Escherichia coli isolated from dogs (n=514), cats (n=341) and horses (n=28)...

PURPOSE: St. John of the Cross (1542-1591) died aged 49 years after 3 months of excruciating pain following a trivial lesion in his right foot. Erysipelas, a superficial bacterial infection of the skin, and subsequent sepsis were previously suggested as the cause of his death. Here, an alternative diagnosis is proposed. METHODS: An accurate perusal of his biography allowed the symptomatology, the clinical evolution, the depth of the infection and the associated systemic manifestations displayed by Fray John to be reconstructed...

OBJECTIVES: Staphylococcus aureus colonization leading to skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) are known challenges in crowded settings such as the military. The aim of the study was to a) establish and compare the prevalence of S. aureus colonization in recruits at enrolment and discharge after the first year of military service and b) investigate the prevalence of S. aureus SSTI. METHODS: All recruits entering first year of military service in January 2013 to be stationed at three garrisons in the northern part of Norway were invited to join this prospective cohort study...

We present a case of a young girl who presented with multiple cutaneous abscesses over 2 years at different sites. She had no constitutional symptoms or history of tuberculosis. On investigation, she was found to have rifampicin-sensitive tuberculosis presenting as tubercular gumma, a rare form of cutaneous tuberculosis which occurs due to haematogenous spread of the bacilli. She had disseminated disease involving the spinal column with associated psoas abscess. A thorough evaluation was done for immune-deficiency workup but was all negative...

INTRODUCTION: Approximately 30% of all outpatient antimicrobials are inappropriately prescribed. Currently, antimicrobial prescribing patterns in emergency departments (ED) are not well described. Determining inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing patterns and opportunities for interventions by antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) are needed. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed among a random sample of non-admitted, adult patients who received an antimicrobial prescription in the ED from January 1 to December 31, 2015...

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to characterize the epidemiology, management, and outcomes of skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) and colonization due to carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). METHODS: Patients from the Consortium on Resistance Against Carbapenem in Klebsiella and Other Enterobacteriaceae (CRACKLE-1) from December 24, 2011 to October 1, 2014 with wound cultures positive for CRE were included in the study. Predictors of surgical intervention were analyzed...

Microorganisms continuously monitor their surroundings and adaptively respond to environmental cues. One way to cope with various stress-related situations is through the activation of the stringent stress response pathway. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa this pathway is controlled and coordinated by the activity of the RelA and SpoT enzymes that metabolize the small nucleotide secondary messenger molecule (p)ppGpp. Intracellular ppGpp concentrations are crucial in mediating adaptive responses and virulence. Targeting this cellular stress response has recently been the focus of an alternative approach to fight antibiotic resistant bacteria...

AIM: To determine the clinical features of diabetes in children and adolescents in Ghana. METHODS: Retrospective review of clinical features of all children and adolescents with new-onset diabetes seen at the paediatric endocrinology clinic of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, from February 2012 to Auguest 2016. RESULTS: One hundred and six subjects presented with diabetes. Ninety (84.9%) were diagnosed by clinical features and family history as type 1, and 16 (15...

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Two large randomized trials recently demonstrated efficacy of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-active antibiotics for drained skin abscesses. We determine whether outcome advantages observed in one trial exist across lesion sizes and among subgroups with and without guideline-recommended antibiotic indications. METHODS: We conducted a planned subgroup analysis of a double-blind, randomized trial at 5 US emergency departments, demonstrating superiority of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (320/1,600 mg twice daily for 7 days) compared with placebo for patients older than 12 years with a drained skin abscess...

Staphylococcus aureus infections affecting the skin and soft tissues are of significant health concern and an unmet need to be addressed. The lack of drug penetration into the infectious site is the main clinical challenge. Once the pathogen invades the wounded skin, it attenuates biological response pathways, leading to chronic infection. Wound infections are associated with alkaline pH due to the presence of bacteria, whereas creation of an acidic environment around the wound bed promotes faster healing. Herein, we develop injectable drug loaded nanoparticulate system of vancomycin encapsulated polycaprolactone nanoparticles coated with polyelectrolyte-Vitamin C in polyvinyl alcohol-alginate gel (D-PCL-PVc-PVA(Alg)...